Double Duty HT and Two Channel
Comments
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H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
I bought a Musical Fidelity A308 with a HT pass through and my days of switching speaker wire or interconnects are long gone. The A 308 may not be the latest and greatest but it is built like a tank and I am quite happy with the sound quality even after 2+ years.
ScottI like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D -
A had a Conrad Johnson PVL2 that had HT bypass & was very sweet sounding.."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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I had a few upgrades done from the factor(binding posts, etc...), so it finally shipped today. I should receive it by the end of the week.Erik Tracy wrote: »Well??
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Nice looking setup.
#3 gets my vote. A quick swap and you'll be back on your way. I'd be worried about changing too many things and ending up with something I didn't like, after I spent a bunch of money. Just my two cents. -
pearsall001 wrote: »A had a Conrad Johnson PVL2 that had HT bypass & was very sweet sounding..
Which one was it? (12, 14, 17, etc)?SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette -
Jetmaker737 wrote: »Which one was it? (12, 14, 17, etc)?
I left that part out didn't I. It was the PV14L2 model with Mullards. Sounded very nice & worked great with the HT bypass."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
MillerLiteScott wrote: »I bought a Musical Fidelity A308 with a HT pass through and my days of switching speaker wire or interconnects are long gone. The A 308 may not be the latest and greatest but it is built like a tank and I am quite happy with the sound quality even after 2+ years.
Scott
Nothing to sneeze at,thats a damn nice piece,and as you say,built like a tank and will most likely outlast you. Good snag there Scott, enjoy even though I'm 2 years late.:DHT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Well - I took the plunge and bid/won on a Music Fidelity A5 Integrated Amp.
This has an HT Direct (HT Bypass) feature that I was looking for so that I can have my hybrid setup.
The A5 has gotten some good reviews and seems to have a good track record. I'm excited that this will be my next step up in 2-channel sonics....we'll see....should be getting it in the next week.
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Congrats. That's a nice integrated amp. I'm running an MF A5 Pre in my setup. I like it alot. Musical Fidelity makes some really nice gear. Enjoy:D
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Erik - Nice purchase! I haven't pulled the trigger yet but the Musical Fidelity A5 or A5.5 is on my list of integrateds to consider. I would be interested in hearing a review of the amp after you get it setup. What speakers are you pairing it with?Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4 -
Erik - Nice purchase! I haven't pulled the trigger yet but the Musical Fidelity A5 or A5.5 is on my list of integrateds to consider. I would be interested in hearing a review of the amp after you get it setup. What speakers are you pairing it with?
Thanks! I think I got a decent deal on the A5 from audiogon.
I'm going to pair it to some B&W CDM 1NTs that I also got from audigon via a local seller - saved a bundle on shipping!
I really like these for bookshelf mains w/ my Epik Valor sub.
I would liken their sound as a nice synthesis of the high end sparkle/detail of an RTIA3 and the cohesive soundstage & musicality of an LSi7 (yes, I've owned both).
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
It took a couple of months since I started this thread but I finally pulled the trigger. I purchased a Krell Kav 400xi integrated amp on Audiogon. Received it today and it is just as advertised (rated 9/10). Still has over 2 1/2 years on the warranty. Bought it from a Krell dealer and they were great to work with. Thanks to all for your advice.
Next is my pursuit of a transport and Dac but that's another story and another thread...Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4 -
It took a couple of months since I started this thread but I finally pulled the trigger. I purchased a Krell Kav 400xi integrated amp on Audiogon. Received it today and it is just as advertised (rated 9/10). Still has over 2 1/2 years on the warranty. Bought it from a Krell dealer and they were great to work with. Thanks to all for your advice.
Next is my pursuit of a transport and Dac but that's another story and another thread...
Nice!!
I was looking at that Krell too...was tempted on one.
Give us a full report after you get it 'integrated' into your system..hahahahha....bad pun intended:D
I missed the first FedEx delivery yesterday for my A5
So I'm camping out at home to wait for the 2nd delivery today - can't wait!
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Got my Music Fidelity A5 Integrated Amp yesterday and took the afternoon to wire it in - along with the Panamax 5500 Power Conditioner I picked up from Mantis.
I rewired my CD, Phono, and the analog outs from my Oppo BDP-83 to the A5 and used the cool HT direct feature of the A5 to wire in my Yamaha V1800 preouts for 'movie mode'.
I still have my Epik sub wired up for either "music" via the preouts on the A5 or LFE from the avr - so I do have manual swapping to do - but worth it.
First impressions - diggin' the 2-channel sound! Open, spacious, clear, with dark backs - especially w/ CDs from my Cambridge 640c v2.
The A5 has incredible bass control - what I was getting before was the feeling and impression of bass - but the A5 has 'musical' bass. Very cool!
And power? Oh....yeah....clean and uncongested at volume.
I dig how the volume control is servo controlled from the remote - you can see the volume control turn up...
And if I want to watch movies with all the right/safe settings for LFE, xover, etc, I hit the HT direct on the remote - click - I use the AVR control for volume.
Way cool.
I'm diggin' to a Pink Floyd afternoon - Wish You Were Here on CD - and Animals on LP....life is good about now.
And the Panamax is working well too - if the Amperage readout is correct - even at high volume I'm drawing only 1.0 amp and that's w/ the AVR AND amp plugged into the Panamax (via its high rush/non-limit outlets)
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Erik Tracy wrote: »Got my Music Fidelity A5 Integrated Amp yesterday and took the afternoon to wire it in - along with the Panamax 5500 Power Conditioner I picked up from Mantis.
I rewired my CD, Phono, and the analog outs from my Oppo BDP-83 to the A5 and used the cool HT direct feature of the A5 to wire in my Yamaha V1800 preouts for 'movie mode'.
I still have my Epik sub wired up for either "music" via the preouts on the A5 or LFE from the avr - so I do have manual swapping to do - but worth it.
First impressions - diggin' the 2-channel sound! Open, spacious, clear, with dark backs - especially w/ CDs from my Cambridge 640c v2.
The A5 has incredible bass control - what I was getting before was the feeling and impression of bass - but the A5 has 'musical' bass. Very cool!
And power? Oh....yeah....clean and uncongested at volume.
I dig how the volume control is servo controlled from the remote - you can see the volume control turn up...
And if I want to watch movies with all the right/safe settings for LFE, xover, etc, I hit the HT direct on the remote - click - I use the AVR control for volume.
Way cool.
I'm diggin' to a Pink Floyd afternoon - Wish You Were Here on CD - and Animals on LP....life is good about now.
And the Panamax is working well too - if the Amperage readout is correct - even at high volume I'm drawing only 1.0 amp and that's w/ the AVR AND amp plugged into the Panamax (via its high rush/non-limit outlets)
Take some pics.. -
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Erik - Your setup looks great. Enjoy the new A5 and happy listening.Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4 -
I had a few upgrades done from the factor(binding posts, etc...), so it finally shipped today. I should receive it by the end of the week.
Well?? Dude...you are just teasing us!:D
I also see on Audiogon that the first W4S DAC-1 has shipped and sold already....fingers twitching...wallet too close....must stop.....:p
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Unhappy update to my Integrated Amp experiences...when I first hooked up the phono, I was using my external phono amp to one of the line level inputs.
Then as a comparison, I decided to use the built in phono inputs on the A5 and discovered a problem. A rumbling whooshing noise plagued the inputs - as if someone were blowing into a microphone turned up WAY high.
I checked to make sure I was connected to the phono inputs (straight from the TT of course - not from the ext preamp) and that I was grounded - same problem.
I hooked my TT to my AVR which has phono inputs - no problems.
TT uses a MM Grado Z1+, and the A5 phono inputs are for MM.
So, I've been working with the seller to return the unit.
Too bad, cuz the A5 is a fantastic sounding amp.
Reverting back to my AVR as preamp to my external amp - the sound is 'flat' compared to the A5 - which paints an incredible soundstage with fantastic imaging.
[sigh]......:(
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
I'm loving it. It's just like the amp, with gain. Dynamic, transparent, nice large images. Image placement is a little different than from my other setups though, which is right, which is wrong, who knows.Erik Tracy wrote: »Well?? Dude...you are just teasing us!:D
I also see on Audiogon that the first W4S DAC-1 has shipped and sold already....fingers twitching...wallet too close....must stop.....:p"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
I'm loving it. It's just like the amp, with gain. Dynamic, transparent, nice large images. Image placement is a little different than from my other setups though, which is right, which is wrong, who knows.
I found this on-line review:
http://www.stereotimes.com/amp020910.shtml
Would you agree with some of the characterizations:
"First of all, it does not sound like a tube amplifier meaning that its presentation is not quite as smooth and relaxed as that of the best tube units Ive heard. To my ears the STI-500 sounds more like an excellent battery-powered solid-state amplifier with possibly a touch more musical sweetness and a lot more dynamic pop & slam. If it has any character at all, Id say its just a hint of brightness in the upper midrange or lower treble region, and the emphasis is slight if in fact it is there at all."
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Pretty much dead on, especially the dynamic slam."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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I like option 1, Sim gear is terrific stuff and the amp you mention will be able to drive the 9's. I would start saving up to mod the x-over in the 9's, you'll be floored by the improvement.
Personally, in direct comparison with other DACS the Sim and Neko DACs bested the Benchmark to my ears. Though neither have the amount of features that the variety of Benchmark models out there have.Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
Former Staff Member TONEAudio
2 Ch. System
Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3 -
I already purchased a Krell Kav 400xi on Audiogon. Unfortunately, there was a slight problem and I had to send it to Krell for service. Lucky it is still under warranty. I hope to get it back early next week.I like option 1, Sim gear is terrific stuff and the amp you mention will be able to drive the 9's. I would start saving up to mod the x-over in the 9's, you'll be floored by the improvement.
Personally, in direct comparison with other DACS the Sim and Neko DACs bested the Benchmark to my ears. Though neither have the amount of features that the variety of Benchmark models out there have.
Thanks for your DAC opinions. I haven't pulled the trigger on that purchase yet although I think I ruled out the Bechmark.Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4 -
I already purchased a Krell Kav 400xi on Audiogon. Unfortunately, there was a slight problem and I had to send it to Krell for service. Lucky it is still under warranty. I hope to get it back early next week.
Thanks for your DAC opinions. I haven't pulled the trigger on that purchase yet although I think I ruled out the Bechmark.
Nice score! I was also looking at the same Krell model - they pop up every now and then on audiogon.
You got lucky w/ your problem.
My A5 is not under warranty, and apparently I found out Musical Fidelity has cut short the warranties on alot of their units to only 1 yr. And there is only *1* authorized repair shop in all of N. America - and parts are hard to come by.
So, I either have to work a deal with the seller for repair costs, send the unit back for a refund, or get a partial refund from the seller.
The unit sounds great, and I can live w/o the phono input, but it hurts the resale value if I want to turn the unit later.
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
This was my first piece of used gear and I was very reluctant to go this route. I only went for it because I bought from a reputable dealer. They have been stand-up about the problem so far and are taking all the right steps to rectify it. I'll let you know how I make out.Erik Tracy wrote: »Nice score! I was also looking at the same Krell model - they pop up every now and then on audiogon.
You got lucky w/ your problem.
My A5 is not under warranty, and apparently I found out Musical Fidelity has cut short the warranties on alot of their units to only 1 yr. And there is only *1* authorized repair shop in all of N. America - and parts are hard to come by.
So, I either have to work a deal with the seller for repair costs, send the unit back for a refund, or get a partial refund from the seller.
The unit sounds great, and I can live w/o the phono input, but it hurts the resale value if I want to turn the unit later.Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4 -
This was my first piece of used gear and I was very reluctant to go this route. I only went for it because I bought from a reputable dealer. They have been stand-up about the problem so far and are taking all the right steps to rectify it. I'll let you know how I make out.
What problem were you having?
And, does your Krell have pre-outs?
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
I could not get sound out of the left channel. I checked everything and concluded it could only be the Krell. The place I bought it from said they did a complete bench test of the unit before they sold it to me. I believe them and feel it must have been damaged in shipping. Anyway, they arranged everything for me at Krell, and they promised that Krell would do a complete work-up on the unit.Erik Tracy wrote: »What problem were you having?
And, does your Krell have pre-outs?
Even though I feel that everything will be made right in the end, this may be my last used purchase for a while.
Not sure if it as pre-outsRig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4 -
Erik,
Although my MF SACD Kw sounds fantastic my experience with MF's now authorized repair shop has been less than stellar, very slow, mostly unresponsive, suspect repair and a one man show, MF is no Polk Audio when it come to CS, my unit was at their repair facilities for six months to get the transport upgraded, service repair can be done if companies care to, as an example another hi-end company I use BAT had my unit back to me in well under two weeks including ship times each way when I needed service.
I am pretty much getting a divorce from MF based upon lack of service, I do though maintain the rights to this SACD!!!!!!
That said I do hope CNN does give up on used gear based on this one bad experience, the only piece in my whole 2 channel I got new was the MF and its been out of the rack the most and dont even get me started on the MF Trivista player it replaced.
RT1
